Spec MX-5 Central And East Drivers Go Head-to-Head At Road Atlanta

By Winding Road Staff

January 17, 2018

Road Atlanta will be the site of the next Spec MX-5 Challenge event, July 27-29 (as well as the championship event in November 2018). Drivers from Spec MX-5 Challenge – East and Spec MX-5 Challenge – Central will come together for the first time this season to learn the track and test their racecraft against one another for the first time. Drivers will also endeavor to build skills in anticipation of competing in November for the $100,000 first prize Spec MX-5 Challenge scholarship.

Road Atlanta is a beloved track, well known for hosting IMSA’s Petit Le Mans event each year. Drivers like and respect the track for several reasons:

fast, flowing sector 1 has good rhythm and is not overly intimidating despite high speeds

T6 and T7 have decreasing radii and elevation changes that reward good car setup and driver skill with smooth inputs

there are multiple passing points, including a long straight which is helpful for lower power cars

T10a/b is fun, with a heavy braking, trail braking and exit compromise

T11 and T12 are fast, downhill and scary, but ultimately rewarding to get right

To get a taste of what Road Atlanta is like, take a look at this video shot from inside a Prototype Challenge car driven by Kenton Koch. We know the PC car is quite a bit faster than the Spec MX-5 race cars drivers will run in the Challenge, but we think Kenton’s run gives a good idea of the thrills and passing opportunities of Road Atlanta.

About Spec MX-5 Challenge

Spec MX-5 Challenge is an affordable pro road racing series with a focus on driver development and a top prize of $100,000. In 2018, its ten-race regular season in the East will run at Virginia International Raceway, Summit Point Raceway, Road Atlanta and Monticello Motor Club. The ten-race Central season will run at NCM Motorsports Park, Circuit of The Americas, Road Atlanta and NOLA Raceway Park. The top seven drivers from each region will compete at a championship-deciding event at Road Atlanta in November. The twenty drivers selected for the series in 2018 pay $45,000 and receive full arrive-and-drive services, including transport, entry fees, tires, fuel, mechanical work, engineering and a race car.